Bob Prabhu shared the news today that the widely respected and well known BBC News sound recordist, Colin Jones, has died:

It is with much sadness that I have to say that my one time sound recordist, Colin Jones, died last night in Bangor, Wales. He was 70.
I have happy memories of Colin as my fellow working colleague. We worked together in May 1990, soon after the Romania revolution.

Mike's daughters, Charli and Madeleine, have posted this on his Facebook feed:

It’s with great sadness that I write this to let you know our dear Father passed away on Thursday 16th. Dad suffered a stroke in the early hours of Saturday morning (October 11th) and sadly wasn’t able to pull through. You will be pleased to know he kept his wonderful sense of humour right until the end.
My sister and I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming support as we process his passing. We love him so much and are grateful for all of the amazing times we have shared with him.
We will have a private family cremation for Dad on Thursday this week. According to his wishes, half of his ashes will remain here in NZ with the other half returning to his beloved home, England.
Following the private ceremony on Thursday afternoon, we will be holding a memorial for Dad. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. Feel free to message me on Dad’s Facebook.
We look forward to hearing your stories of your time with Dad. If we can’t celebrate Dad with you in person, please do share your stories here on Facebook. x
With love - Charlotte and Madeleine

Bob Prabhu has posted this on the BBC TVC site: Retired News Producer, Sue Emmett informed me that last Tuesday (14/10/2025) the popular One and Six program Producer Debbie Stacey died from lung cancer. She never smoked. She was only 66.
There will be no funeral as she donated her body to medical science.
Rest in Peace Debbie.

Hello everyone!

I'm trying to trace Fred (surname possibly Malott?) who worked in film processing at BBC HQ in Glasgow in the late 70s. He was known as 'Big Fred'.

I know he was at the BBC in 1978 for sure, but also possibly before or after this year.

Hopefully someone remembers him! Any help much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Ryan

This is courtesy of WDR:-

"Many former members of BBC Radio News and Current Affairs will be sad to learn of the death of Tony Austin at the age of 85. He was personnel boss at Broadcasting House for much of the 70s and 80s. 

Tony's career was rich and varied. From the King's School, Canterbury, he started at the BBC as a Floor Assistant at Television Centre in 1961 - and used to enjoy telling people that the year before he joined, the official job title was "Call Boy"."


More to be found- courtesy of Bill Rogers here.

This from Helen McLean today (Sat):
It is with great sadness that I let you know that my amazing husband Iain McLean has passed away.  Iain was at TVC for 20 years as a floor assistant, AFM, and for the most part floor manager.  He worked on shows like The Goodies, Fawlty Towers, The Late Late Breakfast Show, Opportunity Knocks, Top of the Pops and Blue Peter (where we met) amongst others. After he left the BBC he went on to become a director and enjoyed another 30 years working in the industry that he loved.  Iain will be greatly missed.

Whether or not the Beeb bigwigs agree, there is so much public hostility to the BBC now that something must be done. I feel much of what needs to be done is about the way the Corporation is being run, the direction it is headed and the lack of awareness of what the viewers and listeners want. But I cringe when I see what readers of The Times, Telegraph and Mail say when given the slightest opportunity. Increasingly people who are likely to vote Reform are becoming vociferous and nasty about what is still the world’s best broadcasting model. And it is not just about money or the licence fee.

Peter O'Kill's funeral will be at 11am on Thursday 16th October, at Holy Trinity Church, Sunningdale

For anyone who is in receipt of a BBC Pension, just a reminder that voting is open for the BBC Pension Trust ‘Pensioners Representative’. The last Representative change was more than10 years ago.
Voting is either Electronic (Expect an Email) or Paper (Expect your Postie!) It will be the same method as you receive your annual statement.
I understand, this time 61 people have put their names (which is very unusual !)
Also you can vote for several people, 1 for your first choice, 2 for your second choice etc.  See details on your email or paper vote.
You should find my name (Paul Thackray) somewhere on the (randomly ordered) list of 61 if you fancy putting a low number by my name?  (Actuly I am first in the list!)
You have until 24th September to Vote.
It’s important to make sure your choice(s) are recorded.

According to this web-site (TVB Europe) The BBC R&D has won an Emmy.



"BBC Research and Development has been named as the recipient of this year’s Philo T , Farnsworth Corporate Achievement Award, which honours an agency, company or institution, “whose contributions over time have significantly impacted television technology and engineering.”

The award acknowledges BBC Research and Development’s “proud history of shaping how we watch and experience television,” said the Academy, recognising the team’s work in the development and standardisation of advances such as High-Definition TV (HDTV) and Ultra High-Definition TV (UHDTV), Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) for the carriage of High Dynamic Range (HDR) information and 5G networks. The Academy also looked ahead to the team’s work in researching Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and its leading participation in industry collaboration over the continuing integration of AI throughout the industry.

Craig Abrego, Chair of the Television Academy, said, “Behind every unforgettable moment on screen is a breakthrough in science, technology or engineering. These groundbreaking innovations transform the way stories are created, shared and experienced. We celebrate these Emmy winners for forever changing how we experience the magnificent power of television.”"